India has over one million luxury consumers and the market-size of high-end products has almost doubled in the past one year that witnessed the launch of several international luxury brands. Factors such as India being one of the fastest growing economies and an consumers increasingly leading indulgent lifestyles have contributed to the boom in the an luxury market.

The Hindustan Times Luxury Conference, in association with FICCI and NID, has been conceptualized with a view to providing impetus to the development of the luxury industry in India. The event will be held at the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower, Mumbai, on January 13-14, 2006 and has attracted some of the topmost names in the global luxury industry.

HT Media’s Vice-Chair Person and Editorial Director, Shobhana Bhartia, said, ``Hindustan Times has always prided itself in spotting emerging trends. The Hindustan Times Luxury Conference has been initiated to recognize that today’s young urban population in India is aware of global trends in the lifestyle segment and is gradually going in for high-end branded products, which till recently were seen as elitist.’’

Kamal Nath, Minister for Commerce and Industry, will inaugurate the Luxury Conference. Ajay Dua, Secretary, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, will lead a fascinating panel discussion on “Opening up India to Luxury Goods: Opportunities and Challenges”, along with Patrick Normand of Cartier and Alessandro Ferreri of the AEFFE Fashion Group.

Some of the other speakers at the conference include Sheikh Majed J Hamoud Al-Sabah, Chairman, Villa Moda Kuwait, and Robert Bensoussan, Chief Executive, Jimmy Choo, amongst many other well-known industry leaders.

The Luxury Conference will also include a fashion show on January 13. The evening promises to be an extravaganza of elegance, glamour and style as India’s leading fashion designers Manish Arora, Sabyasachi and Tarun Tahiliani will display their creations along with live orchestra music and dance.